CapMetro plans R-O-W capacity upgrade

Austin, Tex.'s Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) plans to add a second track at three stations on its existing route, as well as upgrade signaling and grade-crossing equipment, in order to improve running time and eventually increase service capacity.

An $11.3 million federal grant, supplemented by CapMetro's general revenue, will halp pay for the $27 million project, to take place over a two-year period.

CapMetro's MetroRail began operations in March 2010 after a prolonged dispute with federal authorities in determining whether the system was a diesel light railway transit (DLRT) service, a designation CapMetro sought, or a regional ("commuter") rail operation, as federal authorities ultimately judged.